About Business Ethics: Articles by Jeannine Clontz

Exercising Your Ethics

If you're anything like me, exercise should be considered a four-letter word. Time, which is a four letter word, is what we seem to have the least of. We need time to handle the administration of our businesses, complete client tasks, market our businesses, attend networking events to grow our practices, volunteer to make sure we're helping where we can, and let's not forget the time we need to be sure our families and households are running at peak performance We cheerfully spend lots of time on everyone's physical well-being, making sure we eat right, get plenty of sleep, and at least consider that exercise thing, but most people spend very little time on their moral well-being, the time needed to exercise our ethics.

When I am working with a client to create an ethics seminar, I always ask to speak with a few of their key employees, not in management. This exercise allows me to listen to employees concerns, and get a true picture of the employer's appreciation of their employees, and what ethical systems have already been addressed and implemented.

I'm never surprised to find that the client seems puzzled by some of the responses I receive. Some of it stems from the client's misunderstanding of what ethics encompasses, some of it stems from the client's inability to communicate properly to the employee what their standards are, and how they affect the way they do business.

Hands down, the biggest complaint I get from employers and employees is lack of follow-through. We need to do what we said we would, in the time we said it would take, or we need to communicate any shortfalls well before that committed completion time has expired.

I think that's true in our businesses, too. We have to be excellent communicators, and have the ability to ask the questions that our clients haven't even considered. On those occasions when a situation arises that may tip the scales unfairly in one direction, we have to take the time to consider all sides of the situation and make the most informed decision that is fair and equitable to everyone, even though it might be easier and more profitable not to.

To be an ethical business, you must earn the respect and trust of employees, clients, suppliers, etc., by weighing all the aspects and making sure we treat all parties fairly. If we always practice good business ethics, we not only help ourselves and our businesses, but we help bring more confidence and trust to our industry - something we absolutely must maintain in order for us all to be successful.

So let me ask you to exercise your moral well-being and increase your credibility without the sweat and expensive work-out equipment!

Wishing you continued success and the wisdom to consider ethical options.

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